Crossing the border with Blue Jays beat reporter Jordan Bastian.

A.J.'s last stand?

TORONTO — Could this be A.J. Burnett’s final start in a Blue Jays uniform? That seems to be a very realistic possibility. Burnett could come back on short rest and potentially go for win No. 20 on the season’s final day, but he’s already said he won’t do that.

Why would he? Burnett is on the verge of cashing in big time as a free agent, if he opts out of his contract, and winning 20 won’t fetch him much more dough that he would get otherwise. So why risk a possible injury in your final start?

Aaron Hill took some time to speak with reporters today and Toronto’s second baseman is feeling good. He has an appointment with a neurologist in the area on Thursday, and he said he full expects to be cleared to begin his normal offseason routine. So, good news.

Hill was asked if he’d be willing to potentially move to shortstop next season, if the Blue Jays asked as much from him. Hill said he’d prefer to stay at second base, and said most of his teammates have told him they’d prefer him there as well. Hill said it’d take his teammates telling him a move to short was best for the team for him to move.

Also, manager Cito Gaston said last week that he believed his contract extension might be announced before the end of this homestand. Well, that’s tomorrow, so we’ll see if his prediction holds up. Cito didn’t sound entirely confident that it’d be settled as early as Thursday when the topic came up today:

“I dont know. I’m going to probably be back for a day or so next week. If it doesn’t happen tomorrow, who knows? Hopefully, before the week’s up.”

Today’s lineups:

NEW YORK (86-71) at TORONTO (83-74)at 7:07 p.m. ET at the Rogers Centre

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20 Comments

It’s easy to see why Overbay is struggling. He let’s two fastballs right down the middle go by while he stands there figiting. Then in a hole, he’s forced to try to hit Hughes breaking ball. What happened to see the ball, hit the ball?

Does anybody know what happens if the Mets, Phillies, and Brewers all finish with the same record. Do the Mets and Phillies both get is cause they won their division? Or is there a 3 game playoff (doubtful).

I believe the Mets and Phillies have a playoff for the eastern division and Brewers, being in central would have the wildcard as long as another team from the west doesn’t have more wins . Last year Colorado and San Diego had a playoff game

Yes I do think he will opt out . A couple articles I read said he wants to move closer to home . That could mean just in the states, no borders to cross for his family . I wonder if he wants to play for the Orioles since he resides in Maryland….can’t get any closer than that ….lol…. Its going to be a tough next year unless the Jays make some shrewd decisons this off season .

The Jays have ther work cut out for them this offseason.Starting pitching must be adressed,but the offence still needs tweeking inorder to make a run next season.(as we have all seen since the Boston series)
Iam going to play GM for a moment and suggest what I think would be good for the club going forward.
1:Offer AJ an extension but won’t break the bank doing so.
2:Explore again a deal involving Rios to the Giants for Matt Cain.(Lincecum would be better but come on)
3:Sign Derek Lowe if AJ deal fall thru
4:Talk to the Tigers about Ordonez(I heard he may be made available)It would cost some pitching and would be do-able providing Detroit paid some of his salary.Players involved on my end would be a reliever,Overbay,prospect.However,players involved would depend on how much salary Detroit would be willing to pay.
5:Move Adam Lind to first base in spring(if Overbay dealt).Outfield would be Snider,Wells,Ordonez.
Infield would be Barajas,Lind,Hill,Macdonald,Rolen.
Rotation: Doc,AJ/Lowe,Cain,Listich,Purcey
Pen: Richmond,Downs,Accardo,Carlson,League,BJ
Bench:Thigpen,MightyJoe,Scutaro,Wilkerson, ?.

I didn’t list a dh because I’m thinking Joe could dh and lead off.I know he’s not a typical dh but he needs to be in the lineup as much as possible.Another option is resign Reed Johnson and platoon dh among the outfielders and he would lead off.Richmond in my opinion has earned the chance to be a long man in the pen and a spot starter.
If McGowan and Jansenn can return and be strong it would be a bonus but we must be prepared to go on without them.Lowe might be a better choice over AJ because he could be signed to a shorter deal making room for the likes of McGowan and Marcum when he returns in 2010.

Hey Terence for the most part I like your offseason plan.
I have heard a suggestion that the jays could explore Rios for Matt Cain. Lincicum as you said would obviously be better but they’d probably have to give up an arm of their own to get it done and I’d rather them just try for Cain.
3) Derek Lowe would be a good choice but i’d kick the cans with Dempster or Oliver Perez as well.

I like Lowe and Ordonez, but they are 35 & 34. Too old for my liking. The Jays should be getting younger. Plus they will be expensive. Lowe will get more $ than Burnett. He has better stats and has proven durability, leadership and has played on winning teams. Same with Ordonez. They wont take pay cuts to play for the Jays.
I agree that the Jays are more likely to land Dempster (even though they shouldn’t go after him – never sign a player after a career year!) than Lowe.
Would the Giants make that trade? Cain is young and cheap and having a better season than Rios. The Giants have a couple of prospects that they are trying to get into their line-up (Valez, Schierholtz, Sandoval). All are younger and cheaper than Rios and have just as much up-side potential. The deal just doesn’t make sense for them. They were interested in Rios last year, but their interest ended when they picked up Rowand.
I agree that the Jays should look into moving Lind to 1B.

Just to add to the offseason plan suggestions…the more I think about it the more i’d like to see Ryan traded. They have a surplus in the bullpen and I feel that the 10 million could be better used elsewhere. You take away from a strength in order to add financial aid for the weaknes’.
I don’t think they’d need to ask for much in return. Offer him up to the teams that lose out on K-Rod.

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